I keep coming back to this bass.I currently have an Elan,and I'm very fond of its body shape ( 1a).However, this bass, w/that quilt, and EMW electronics would absolutely be 1b. I'm still conflicted as to which body design if I were to order a custom.

Seeing this bass reminds me of a something I've had in my mind for a while. I've seen a number of basses on the forum here with maple on the top and the colour of the older ones seem to be very different from the new ones. The newer ones seem very light white colour and others seem to have a golden kind of sepia tone to them. Ignoring the difference due to photographic exposure.

What is the primary reasons for this? (a) Is this due to the wood fading in colour over time? (b) Is it the paint changing colour over time? (c) Exposure to sunlight? (d) All of the both?

If its due to the affect of light, which I suspect is the main cause, is there any way to slow the process down so the original colour is maintained longer? It may be an strange thing to compare it to, but if art galleries use special glass and sunglasses use coatings and car paint has additives in it to reduce fade from sunlight, is it possible/desireable to use a guitar coating paint that has those properties to reduce the affect of light causing the colour of the instrument to change over time.

On my old maple basses, it is the finish getting darker and on really old ones, turning yellow. I have not refinished a bass to see if the whiteness returns when the finish is striped off, and it is quite different on old Gibsons verses, say Alembics, which used much different finishes - yelloowing verses just darkening. I greatly prefer the darkened and yellowed finishes over the new. It looks great and means the wood is aged, so it probably sounds a bit sweeter - All in my head? Are all things that way, though? Just an opinion on my part, really.

Add Your Message Here

Post:

Username:

Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.